Jane and the Guardians: Sword of the Lady

Chapter 6

In a spacious office, a large Nazi flag hangs on a wall. Behind the oversized dark wood desk, sits Hans, dressed in a high-ranking officer's uniform with feet up on the desk and staring out the window at the bright blue Berlin sky. The Führer is out of his mind. "The master race," what a joke. How does anyone look at that man and think 'Now there's a superior specimen' is beyond me. As long as we win the upcoming war, nobody will question the sanity of the means.

A knock on the door, a similarly uniformed man walks in and greets Hans with a good-natured pat on the back. "It's a wonder anything gets done around here. All you ever do is sit in your office and look out the window."

"Klaus, what is there for me to do when you can do everything perfectly before lunch," Hans retorts in good humor.

"Well then, have I got something for you to do," says Klaus and throws a file on the desk in front of Hans. He sits in a chair in front of the desk as Hans picks up the report.

"What is this," Hans feigns interest as he browses through the dense binder.

"It's the future and our answer to world domination," Klaus says with great excitement and verve.

"Nope, it looks like a lot of scientific mumbo jumbo to me."

Exasperated, Klaus stands to grab the report out of Hans' hands. "It's proof that a weapon, the power of which we have never seen, is possible! We are talking about a city destroyer."

Intrigued, Hans sits up and looks at Klaus in the eyes. "What are you talking about Klaus?" he says as the humor in his expression fades.

"It's an atomic bomb!" Klaus exclaims. "We have people working on the idea for years, but recently a bunch of scientists in America made it work." The smile on his face broadens.

"You mean the Americans have an atomic bomb?" Hans stands in disbelief.

"No, but they proved that it's possible. A lot of work still needs to be done, but it probably won't be long before such a device exists." Klaus relaxes in the seat and puts his legs on the desk.

Hans sits back down in his chair and laughs dismissively, "A pipe dream, let me know when it does exist."

"When it exists, that might be too late. We have to have this technology now. I've already spoken to the Führer and he has given me full authorization to go ahead."

"Great, go ahead and authorize."

"Hans, I'm authorizing you to lead the field project in America," Klaus stands and says sternly, looking Hans right in the eyes.

"See there, you went ahead and authorized," Hans stands to receive the order.

"This is no joke, Hans. You have to make sure we win the race for the weapon," Klaus advises in a cautious and hushed tone.

"How far behind are we?" The significance of the moment does not escape Hans.

"We have our best people working on it, but all the best scientists on the field are in America."

"Funny how people with options always choose to be free. We are not catching them?"

"Only if their government gets involved," Klaus says after a short pensive pause.

"What do you mean?" Hans asks.

"They are theoretical scientists, Hans, academics. They are not interested in creating weapons. Can you imagine, an American university creating a weapon of mass destruction?" Klaus chuckles. "That's why we know the bomb is possible. They didn't hide that information. They want to share, publish papers, and get the credit."

"Great, why don't we just wait for them to share the information?"

"The only way a weapon will be made is if the government gets involved," Klaus explains patiently. He know his colleague is no fool and motivating him is key.

"By then, there won't be any sharing and we will definitely not catch them," Hans continues the thought.

"That's why we need to get our hands on the technology now. And perhaps sabotage their progress," Klaus says slyly.

"Playing dirty, I love it," Hans says with a big smile on his face.

"That's why you got the go ahead."

"Klaus, you are a good authorizer," Hans says jokingly.

"That's why the Führer keeps me around."

"Maybe he's not as crazy as I think he is."

"Oh, he's crazy. He's just not an idiot too." Klaus waves good-bye and leaves the room.

"You called it," Hans says excitedly after Klaus left the room. "To the date! I was going to take the day off, but you said today is the day."

John walks into the office through another door. "You sound surprised."

"You've never been wrong before, but this is big." Hans' boyish smile lights up the room.

"It'll change the world. Think you are up to it?" John asks.

Hans stood, with a determined expression on his face and an aura ofbrilliant silver energy around him, and says to John, "Oh, you bet I'm ready,my liege."